Universal Music is releasing the ‘Café Bleu’ Special Edition, a package that expands the record beyond its original 43-minute runtime. Initially penned for a January release, the special edition has been subject to a recall and delayed until May 15 following issues with early pressings, but the extra wait is likely to be worthwhile given the breadth of material included.

The reissue centers around a 6-CD collection that curates the original album as well as a huge archive of additional recordings spanning singles, B-sides, demos, alternate takes, BBC session recordings and live performances. Among the archivaes are early versions of fan favourites like “Long Hot Summer” and “Summertime Song,” as well as the first official appearance of the track “Boy Hairdresser”, which finds its way onto a Style Council release for the first time with vocals from Weller.

The first CD presents an expanded edition of 1983’s ‘Introducing… The Style Council’ - previously a Dutch import; the second disc houses the original UK ‘Café Bleu’ tracklist; later discs gather the group’s singles, remixes and B-sides. New sleeve notes by BBC broadcaster and long-time Style Council supporter Gary Crowley accompany the set, offering fresh context and insight into the creation and legacy of the music.

The reissue is structured as follows:

• CD 1 expands the band’s earliest work with extended and club mixes.
• CD 2 preserves the original UK album sequence.
• CD 3 gathers singles and remixes that followed the album’s release.
• CD 4 offers deep cuts, demos and rarities.
• CD 5 & 6 immerse listeners in live and BBC session performances, capturing the band’s energy on stage.

Alongside the 6-CD box, there’s also a 3-LP vinyl edition for collectors who prefer analogue formats. Though not as extensive as its CD counterpart, the vinyl reissue still widens the scope of the original album with expanded ‘Introducing…’ material and selected extras from the CD reissue’s content.

Ultimately, the ‘Café Bleu’ Special Edition is more than a reissue, it’s a retrospective that celebrates The Style Council’s artistic boldness and offers an insight into one of the most innovative British albums of the 1980s. Whether you approach it as nostalgia or discovery, the reissue solidifies ‘Café Bleu’s place in pop history and offers something new for even the most devoted fans.

All variants of the reissue are available for purchase here.

Multiple big names – including Florence Pugh, Paul Weller and Eric Cantona – will appear at the OVO Wembley Arena this Wednesday (September 17), with comedian Guz Khan being announced as the host.

In a newly released statement, Khan said: “When you see kids in Gaza facing bombs instead of books, you realise this can’t be normalised. That silence isn’t an option. That’s why this concert matters. ‘Together For Palestine’ is about solidarity, love – and saying we see you, we stand with you. 

“When I got the call asking me to host, it was a no-brainer. This is about using my platform to back justice, and reminding people that standing up for humanity is everyone’s job.”

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Although tickets for the massive event are sold out, people will still be able to watch the UK’s largest fundraising concert for Gaza. Beginning at 7pm on Wednesday, the whole show will be livestreamed on YouTube. Merchandise is also available to buy from the ‘Together For Palestine’ online shop.

100% of the money raised from the gig will be distributed to Palestine-led organisations such as Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Taawon and Palestine Medical Relief Service.

Brian Eno announced the first wave of artists last month – with Damon Albarn, Bastille and Greentea Peng among those to be confirmed. Eno said in a statement at the time: “In the face of the horrors of Gaza, silence becomes complicity. Artists have always helped societies to point out injustice and imagine better futures. That’s why this concert matters. It’s time for us to come together – not just to raise our voices, but to reaffirm our shared humanity.”

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Another new name announced includes singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, as she opened up about the importance of such an event, saying: “As an artist and a mother, right now I feel helpless, guilty, angry, ashamed, and a million feelings beside. How can this be happening in 2025?”

She continued: “This is not a natural disaster – it is a man-made blight on humanity. All of us across the world have a collective responsibility to do what we can to stop the bombs and bullets. As artists, I believe our music can cut through the silence of complicity. ‘Together For Palestine’ is about turning sound into solidarity – our way of saying compassion matters, and every child deserves to grow up in peace and possibility.”

‘Together For Palestine’ takes place this Wednesday (September 17) from OVO Wembley Arena and will be streamed live on YouTube. Head here to purchase merchandise from the official store to support the cause.

The Jam frontman has been vocal about his views regarding Israel, saying he was “against genocide and ethnic cleansing”. Weller will also perform at the ‘Gig For Gaza’ event in October.

The 67-year-old singer has now filed a discrimination claim against the firm, Harris and Trotter, who informed Weller that they will be ending their professional relationship back in March.

In a letter, which was shared by Sky News, the firm told Weller: “It’s well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide.

“Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views.”

Weller’s lawyers have now fought back, claiming that Harris and Trotter have unlawfully discriminated against his “protected philosophical beliefs.”

In a new legal letter released by Weller and his team, the 67-year-old said: “I’ve always spoken out against injustice, whether it’s apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide. What’s happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe.

“I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship – it’s complicity.

“I’m taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that other are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Weller also noted that he will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.

The Jam frontman will perform at the aforementioned ‘Gig For Gaza’ live event this October in London. Weller himself curated the event which follows on from the initial ‘Gig For Gaza’ which took place in 2024.

Last year’s event raised over £125,000 for aid efforts and saw performances from Kneecap, Primal Scream, Paloma Faith and more. This year’s gig will see Weller joined by the likes of Inhaler, Maverick Sabre and Primal Scream once again.

All funds raised will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and Gaza Forever. You can join the waiting list for any further released tickets for ‘Gig For Gaza’ here.

The single reflects by Weller’s enduring fascination with the wave of folk and blues artists who emerged in Britain and Ireland in the late 1960s- early 1970s. ‘Clive’s Song’ was originally written by Clive Palmer – one of the founding members of Incredible String Band – who wrote the song for Scottish folk legend Hamish Imlach. The song was recorded as part of his 1971 album ‘Old Rarity’. Incredible String Band was also cited by Plant as one of the major influences on the sound and lyricism of Led Zeppelin.

The new track ‘Clive’s Song’ sees Weller and Plant collaborating on a stripped-back cover with shared harmonies and vocals. Plant also unveils a beautiful harmonica solo – the perfect tribute to the original song. A press release about the collaboration on the track read: “Though the song remains relatively undiscovered, avowed folk and blues aficionado Robert Plant didn’t need persuading when Paul invited him to Black Barn for the resulting session”. The track marks Plant’s first appearance since his 2021 collaboration album ‘Raise the Roof’ with Alison Krauss.

The track follows the release of previous renditions of Bee Gees’ ‘I Started A Joke’, The Guerrillas’ ‘Lawdy/ Rolla’ and Brian Protheroe’s ‘Pinball’. The cover album has been described as a “deeply personal new album of reinterpretations that sees Weller revisit songs that have long lived in the back of his mind – now reimagined with fresh meaning and a sense of reverence”.  In a previous statement about the project, Weller said: “These are songs I’ve carried with me for years. They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.” The record will also see reimaginings of songs by the likes of the Kinks and Bobby Charles.

‘Find El Dorado’ will be released on July 25 via Parlophone 2025 and is available to pre-sae here.

In case it was missed, MXDWN’s earlier coverage of the release of his first single ‘Lawdy Rolla’ from the upcoming album can be read here.

The former Jam frontman has teased the release of his new record, consisting solely of covers, with two new songs, ‘Lawdy Rolla’, originally recorded as a moody R&B number by The Guerrillas, and ‘Pinball’, a soft rock ballad originally recorded by The Albion bands’ Brian Protheroe.

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It’s not hard to track Weller’s inspiration for ‘Lawdy Rolla’, as the original record has been a regular spin for DJs on the mod scene for a long while; a scene that Weller has been involved in since the formation of The Jam in the early ‘70s.

The first two songs off the album are available on all streaming platforms now.

Featuring renditions of songs by The Kinks, The Bee Gees and the late P.P. Arnold, ‘Find El Dorado’ also features collaborations with the like of Robert Plant, Hannah Peel and Noel Gallagher.

Weller, alongside his collaborators, came together to create a body of work consisting of “songs I’ve carried with me for years,” and also commented that “They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.” 

Full Tracklist:

1. ‘Handouts In The Rain’ (Richie Havens)
2. ‘Small Town Talk’ (Bobby Charles)
3. ‘El Dorado’ (Eamon Friel)
4. ‘White Line Fever’ (The Flying Burrito Brothers)
5. ‘One Last Cold Kiss’ (Christy Moore)
6. ‘When You Are A King’ (White Plains)
7. ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe)
8. ‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ (Willie Griffin)
9. ‘I Started A Joke’ (Bee Gees)
10. ‘Never the Same (Lal and Mike Waterson)
11. ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (The Guerrillas)
12. ‘Nobody’s Fool’ (The Kinks)
13. ‘Journey’ (Duncan Browne)
14. ‘Daltry Street’ (Jake Fletcher/PP Arnold)
15. ‘Clive’s Song’ (Hamish Imlach)

‘Find El Dorado’ marks the 66 year-old’s return to Parlophone Records, where he released albums between 2015 and 2018. Parlophone have marked the occasion with the release of a 7” single of ‘Lawdy Rolla’ and ‘Pinball’, available for pre-order now. 

Weller has also appeared in the public eye recently, as one of the many artists to sign the open letter from Heavenly Recordings, defending Irish band Kneecap’s “freedom of expression”, which has been heavily scrutinised recently in the British media, following comments made by the band showing support for Palestinian groups.

‘Find El Dorado’ is to be released on the 25th July and the Double Gatefold LP is now available for pre-order.

The former Jam frontman has teased the release of his new record, consisting solely of covers, with two new songs, ‘Lawdy Rolla’, originally recorded as a moody R&B number by The Guerrillas, and ‘Pinball’, a soft rock ballad originally recorded by The Albion bands’ Robert Protheroe.

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A post shared by Paul Weller (@paulwellerhq)

It’s not hard to track Weller’s inspiration for ‘Lawdy Rolla’, as the original record has been a regular spin for DJs on the mod scene for a long while; a scene that Weller has been involved in since the formation of The Jam in the early ‘70s.

The first two songs off the album are available on all streaming platforms now.

Featuring renditions of songs by The Kinks, The Bee Gees and the late P.P. Arnold, ‘Find El Dorado’ also features collaborations with the likes of Robert Plant, Hannah Peel and Noel Gallagher. Weller, alongside his collaborators, came together to create a body of work consisting of “songs I’ve carried with me for years,” and also commented that “They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.” (NME)

Full Tracklist:

1. ‘Handouts In The Rain’ (Richie Havens)
2. ‘Small Town Talk’ (Bobby Charles)
3. ‘El Dorado’ (Eamon Friel)
4. ‘White Line Fever’ (The Flying Burrito Brothers)
5. ‘One Last Cold Kiss’ (Christy Moore)
6. ‘When You Are A King’ (White Plains)
7. ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe)
8. ‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ (Willie Griffin)
9. ‘I Started A Joke’ (Bee Gees)
10. ‘Never the Same (Lal and Mike Waterson)
11. ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (The Guerrillas)
12. ‘Nobody’s Fool’ (The Kinks)
13. ‘Journey’ (Duncan Browne)
14. ‘Daltry Street’ (Jake Fletcher/PP Arnold)
15. ‘Clive’s Song’ (Hamish Imlach)

‘Find El Dorado’ marks the 66 year-old’s return to Parlophone Records, where he released albums between 2015 and 2018. Parlophone have marked the occasion with the release of a 7” single of ‘Lawdy Rolla’ and ‘Pinball’, available for pre-order now. 

Weller has also appeared in the public eye recently, as one of the many artists to sign the open letter from Heavenly Recordings, defending Irish band Kneecap’s “freedom of expression”, which has been heavily scrutinised recently in the British media, following comments made by the band showing support for Palestinian groups.

‘Find El Dorado’ is to be released on the 25th July and the Double Gatefold LP is now available for pre-order.

The EP titled Supplement: 66 is a nod to his most recent album 66, acting as a stylistic continuation of the previous record, as Weller continues to portray an artistic flair whilst reminiscing on his sixty-six years of life, embracing his past whilst acknowledging the necessity for his continued growth as an artist and as an individual. Supplement: 66 embodies the sonic progression of a man that has arguably done it all within his career of more than five decades.

Supplement: 66 Tracklist:

That’s What She Said

Change What You Can

Earth In Our Feet

So Quietly

The ‘You Do Something To Me’ musician recorded Supplement: 66 at his own Black Barn Studios, having a prominent role in producing all of the tracks.  The EP also features original The Jam member Steve Brookes on guitar alongside Max Beesley on vibraphone, Danny Thompson on double bass and the vocals of folk musician Kathryn Williams on ‘So Quietly’, who co-wrote the track with Weller.

Supplement: 66 will be available digitally from its release date as well as in a classic black LP.

Weller, who was first known for being in The Jam and The Style Council, has since got sixteen studio albums, five live albums, thirty-nine singles and three EPs under his belt. Despite Weller’s experimentation with sonic shifts throughout his career, it is evident the announcement and release of Supplement: 66 will aim to further polish Weller’s artistry and continually prove his talents to fans.

The social media post from Paul Weller HQ which accompanied the announcement referred to the EP as being a part of Weller’s “new explorations”. This ideal is prevalent throughout the newly released lyric video visual for ‘Change What You Can’. The video is shot in a nostalgic VHS-style format features various clips of nature. In essence, this visual portrays a hopefulness – a theme that Weller has not shied away from during this career. Whether it is political hopefulness in The Style Council’s ‘Walls Come Tumbling Down’ and The Jam’s ‘Going Underground’ or hopefulness for change in Weller’s ‘The Changing Man’, Weller’s hopefulness in ‘Change What You Can’ surrounds his new explorations at sixty-six and his desire to further develop his artistry.

Paul is excited to announce Supplement: 66

A brand new 4-track EP coming October 18th – https://t.co/kXRZr31C6c

Referencing the sounds and world of 66… whilst also beginning new explorations. First cut ‘Change What You Can’ is out now. pic.twitter.com/e71PRk1uGS

— Paul Weller (@paulwellerHQ) September 27, 2024

Supplement: 66 will be released just in time for fans awaiting to see Weller during his autumn UK tour this year. With the tour dedicated to his recent album 66, there is high potential that Weller will perform tracks from Supplement: 66 given its evident sonic continuation of 66.

With a career that spans over five decades, Weller continues to stun listeners with his presentness in the industry and his continued authenticity and relatable content. The release of Supplement: 66 will therefore commemorate Weller’s legendary career thus far, and his introspective efforts presenting himself as ‘The Changing Man’.

‘Council Skies’
The Times –
Rolling Stone Germany –
Record Collector –
Get your copy or stream the album: https://t.co/agxTBvZuiD pic.twitter.com/KVh9jjS6FM

— Noel Gallagher (@NoelGallagher) June 4, 2023

Hailing from Manchester, Oasis took the world by storm in the 90s, with their second album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? going on to become one of the most successful and influential records of all time-spurred on by the massive hit “Wonderwall.” The band quickly drew comparisons to The Beatles, who the band routinely cited as being primary influences on their sound, style and song writing.

And Gallagher is no stranger to teaming up with his hero-McCartney having joined him and Paul Weller for a cover of The Beatles’ song “Come Together” and then again when Gallagher’s High Flying Birds performed with the legendary musician for his daughter Stella’s 50th birthday. Now, Gallagher has expressed his wish to join a supergroup project with the two remaining members of what many consider to be the greatest rock band of all time.

On September 4th 1995 Noel Gallagher, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and more recorded a cover of Come Together by The Beatles for War Child’s Help album pic.twitter.com/1hHZlbh24T — Liam Gallagher Fans Club (@liamgfansclub) September 4, 2021

Gallagher said about being in a supergroup, “I don’t know if I would start one. Who would I like to be in a supergroup with? I could be in a band with [Paul] Weller and I could be in a band with Johnny [Marr], easily. Playing the bass…Ringo and Macca would be fucking great. Imagine being in a band with Ringo and Macca.Who’s singing? Everyone. I’d fucking pay to be in it. Get me [promoter] Harvey Goldsmith.”

The guitarist has steadfastly stuck to the opinion that The Beatles retain the most significant impact that has been on rock n roll music, saying last year that the Liverpool four have always been a level above their peers, providing the most culturally significant songs out of all. Although Gallagher has never spoken to any member of The Beatles about songwriting, the musician feels that McCartney and company are a cut above everyone else in the business-having written songs that still resonate to this day.

Gallagher has recently been in the news for admitting that he struggles to remember lyrics to his hit songs while performing them live. He even went so far as to reveal that he would be open to using a teleprompter at some point in the future to help him through songs that he has forgotten.

Gallagher will be hitting the road in the UK in December, embarking on an arena tour with his band High Flying Birds. Tickets can be found here.

High Flying Birds Arena Tour:

19/08/2023 – Caldicot Castle – Caldicot
26/08 – Wythenshawe Park – Manchester
30/08/2023 – Bonus Arena – Hull
01/09 – Don Valley Bowl – Sheffield
14/12 – OVO Arena Wembley – London
15/12 – Utilita Arena Birmingham – Birmingham
17/12 – Cardiff International Arena – Cardiff
18/12 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
20/12 – OVO Hydro – Glasgow
21/12 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool

We are pleased to announce a new UK tour! Tickets on sale Friday 10am, pre-sale tickets Wednesday 10amhttps://t.co/ibZg4VlbGX pic.twitter.com/sVsgowZDHb

— The Charlatans (@thecharlatans) June 6, 2023

Beginning in Newcastle on the 24^th November, the group will then play in Glasgow, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, and Wolverhampton. The tour will close in Nottingham on 10^th December. Tickets will go on general sale on Friday 9^th June at 10 am BST. Click here for tickets and more information. Blonde frontman Tim Burgess joked on Twitter “Now to get us a setlist together”. He continued, “All requests considered* What’re we saying? *They stand more chance of making it if they are actually by @thecharlatans”.

Now to get us a setlist together All requests considered* What’re we saying? *They stand more chance of making it if they are actually by @thecharlatans pic.twitter.com/ZuX6FzxPXk — Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) June 6, 2023

Burgess ran a giveaway for a pair of guest list places and a signed setlist up for each date of the tour on Twitter. The randomly picked winners were announced at 9:30 AM BST on Twitter. The giveaway proved extremely popular with #TimsTicketGiveaway trending the previous evening.

Looks like #TimsTicketGiveaway is proving popular pic.twitter.com/K1i0CjP7dh

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) June 6, 2023

Fans can also catch the band at several festivals this summer including Y Not and Victorious Festivals. The Charlatans will also be performing a one-off co-headline show at Halifax Piece Hall with fellow indie legend Johnny Marr at the end of August. For tickets see here.

With all thirteen of their studio albums charting in the top 40 in the UK, the band from the West Midlands are decade-spanning indie darlings of the UK. Their 1990 debut album, Some Friendly, reached number one in the UK upon its release and has been certified Gold by the BPI.

The current formation of The Charlatans sees Tim Burgess as lead vocalist, Mark Collins on guitar, Martin Blunt on bass, and Tony Rogers on keys. Sadly, the band’s former drummer Jon Brookes passed away back in 2014.

Different Days, the band’s last studio record, was released six years ago on BMG. The neo-psychedelia record in Chester and produced by the band and Jim Spencer (Johnny Marr, The Cribs, New Order, The Vaccines, Echo and the Bunnymen). Paul Weller, New Order’s Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris, Johnny Marr, The Verve’s Peter Salisbury, novelist Ian Rankin, and actress Sharon Horgan are just some of the creatives featured on the record.

Watch the video for the lead single from the album “Plastic Machinery” below:

Back in 2021, The Charlatans released a vinyl compilation entitled A Head Full of Ideas including back catalogue fan favourites such as “The Only One I Know”, “Weirdo”, “One to Another”, “How High”, and “North Country Boy”.

See below for all The Charlatans UK tour dates:

30/07/23 – Y Not Festival – Derbyshire
25/08 – Victorious Festival – Portsmouth
26/08 –The Piece Hall – Halifax
24/11/23 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
25/11 – Barrowland – Glasgow
28/11 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
29/11 – O2 Academy – Bristol
01/12 – University Great Hall – Cardiff
02/12 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
03/12 – O2 Academy – Leeds
05/12 – The Mountford Hall – Liverpool
07/12 – Troxy – London
08/12 – The Civic at The Halls – Wolverhampton
10/12 – Rock City – Nottingham

The Britpop icon band, Blur, have decided to greet us once again. The band have announced a collection of four small gig dates for the run up to their official world tour, set to kick off in June.

Come as they may, the group’s fans will be delighted to get in touch with them again. This tour will mark their first headlining gigs since their most recent release of The Magic Whip back in 2015. There has been no trace of fresh sound since then, with only a live album release Live At The BBC in 2019 and the “Blur (25th Anniversary Sampler)” in 2022.

As a warm up for the big journey, they will be playing four shows in May around the UK. The first show will take place at Colchester Art Centre – a 300 head venue capacity – on the Friday, 19th of May. Blur’s frontman, Damon Albarn, is from Colchester, where he met guitarist Graham Coxon when studying at Stanway School.

The following gig is to take place on the 21st May at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne, a slightly larger venue than the first intimate one. On the 26th of May they will be stopping at Wolverhampton to play at The Halls to then finish in Newcastle on the 28th of May where they will be performing at the O2 City Hall.

After the offering of this string of intimacy, the band finally loom into reality. On the 1st of June they land their first big show in Barcelona at the renowned Primavera Sound Festival. As from here they will be hopping around the world until the end of August. Visiting countries such as Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Finland and, to finish off, Japan.

In Japan they will play in Tokyo at Summer Sonic 2023 on the 19th of August and will be finally tying up their horses in Osaka at the Maishima Sonic Park on the 20th of August.

The tour will featured by special guests on stage. The first show is to be accompanied by the UK rapper Slowthai, the British musician known as Self Esteem and the indie duo from London, Jockstrap. The following day they are to be joined on stage at Wembley by rock star Paul Weller as well as the ska revival duo from Coventry, The Selector.

Tickets for the UK shows in May will be available to buy this Friday, 28th of April. Click here for access.

UK Tour Dates:

19/05/2023 – Colchester Art Centre – Colchester
21/05 – Winter Gardens – Eastbourne
26/05 – The Halls – Wolverhampton
28/05 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
08/07/ – Wembley – London
09/07 – Wembley – London